Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a crate, for example a delivery crate. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a delivery crate such as of the type used by supermarkets or shops for transport of goods for home delivery.

Background

Home delivery of goods and produce is increasingly popular, including home delivery of orders that contain multiple smaller items that can be filled from a single warehouse or depot, such as for example food or grocery shopping. Typically, an order is placed on-line by a user, who chooses the goods they require, and a delivery time and day. The order is processed by loading the required goods into delivery crates at a depot or warehouse, with the filled crates then loaded into a van or truck for delivery. On arrival at the destination, the goods are unloaded from the crates, which are then returned to the depot or warehouse for re-use. Crates of the type commonly used for this purpose are open-topped so that they can be easily and quickly loaded and unloaded, and generally have a pair of foldaway end bars or arms that can be located over the open top, towards the sides, so that filled crates can be stacked on top of one another without the goods in the lower crate being crushed by the crate stacked above pressing downwards.

The arms can be folded back out of the way of the open top so that empty crates can be stacked inside one another to reduce the amount of space they take up.

Typically, each order (for example a week's worth of groceries for a typical household) requires several crates. Each crate is large enough to hold many items, and it can take several minutes to unload each crate once these have been moved to the required location - for example from a delivery van parked in a street, to a kitchen or similar a short distance from the street. The time spent unpacking the crates can cause delays, especially if a delivery van has had to stop in a busy area and is blocking traffic. Prior Art

WO2013042037 (FLEISCHER) describes and shows a bottom discharge container comprising a pair of opposed end walls, a pair of opposed side walls connected to the end walls so as to form an enclosure and an at least partially displaceable floor which is displaceable between a raised, closed position in which it extends across a bottom of the enclosure so as to form a base of the container, and a lower, open position in which at least part of the floor is displaced away from the bottom of the enclosure so as to define a discharge opening in the bottom of the container for discharging a load from the container.

EP2345591 (BAS) describes and shows a three-dimensional container box which is flat-foldable and has an automatically folding bottom part, comprising a horizontal row of four side panels and a horizontal row of four bottom panels adjacent to the side panels, the side panels being foldable with respect to the bottom panels over a horizontal fold line, and the individual side panels being foldable with respect to each other over parallel vertical fold lines, the individual bottom panels foldable with respect to each other over cornering fold lines, and wherein two neighbouring bottom panels share one cornering fold line by which they form a pair of retractable cornering bottom panels in the three-dimensional container box.

EP2168883 (MANUEL) describes and shows reusable, washable, plastic, collapsible bin that has a plastic base with four walls extending upwardly from the base and interlocking with one another near the corners, and straps around the walls that hold the walls together temporarily during use and keep the walls interlocked with one another.

CN102582912 (SHANGHAI HOREN SCI & TECH CO) discloses a side door closing hands free container which comprises a bottom wall and side walls.

DE4230027 (MAUSER WERKE GMBH) discloses a folding reusable plastics transport box with hinging sides and a separate bottom plate sliding right out of the peripheral frame. DE202005004644U (SMURFIT EUROPA CARTON GMBH) discloses a container of corrugated cardboard, paper board or other foldable material to hold loose products with a slide element sealing a bottom opening, wherein the bottom opening can be opened and claims by variable positions of the slide element.

GB1299780 (KENNEDY & STIRLING) discloses a storage box with walls permanently and fixedly joined together to form and open-ended box, a bottom member having one or more sections being pivotable connected.

GB2450930 (COPE) discloses a collapsible container unit with a wall structure having end panels, a back panel and a front panel and a base connected to the wall structure.

The present invention provides an item unpacking solution that overcomes the problems associated with the prior art.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a crate comprising: a base including at least one displaceable panel and side walls configured to form a closed perimeter portion for enclosing a quantity of items, the closed perimeter portion defines a substantially open top for receiving items; the at least one displaceable panel is movably connected to the closed perimeter portion and moveable between a closed position, wherein the at least one base panel is configured to extend at least partly across a bottom face of the perimeter portion to substantially block the bottom face; and an open position, wherein the at least one displaceable panel is displaced from the bottom face so that the bottom is substantially unblocked, and wherein, when in the open orientation, the at least one displaceable panel is capable of being folded flat against an outer face of the side wall whilst remaining moveably connected to the closed perimeter.

This arrangement allows a user to quickly and easily unload a loaded crate by moving the base panel(s) from the closed position to the open position and lifting the crate upwards to separate the crate and the contents and leave the contents on a surface.

In contrast to the prior art therefore the present invention provides a transport or delivery crate that can be quickly and easily unloaded without damaging or spilling the contents and/or that provides a means for stacking the crates without bases, or with adjustment of intermediate bases. Applications for this may be but not limited to: supermarkets/grocery stores, farming/horticulture, fishing both at sea and transportation of fish, hospitals, schools, chemical engineering, couriers and other forms of delivery, textiles, recycling.

The present invention is also advantageous for situations when transporting items that are preferably not touched by human hands for hygiene or other physical reasons. For example for applications such as hazardous waste, currently this may be put into screw top sealed containers for disposal but may involve someone physically picking up this waste and placing it in the container. In contrast, the waste can be dropped straight into the crate of the present invention and when full all waste can be emptied into a designated bin/container. The user would not come into contact with the waste at all with contact limited or avoided between the user and whatever is tran sported/m oved/del i vered .

Preferably the base panels are spaced apart from the surface upon which the crate is placed so that there is reduced friction when displacing the base panel(s). Ideally the base is suspended at least 5mm from the surface.

In preferred embodiments the crate is provided with a loose sheet that is placed upon the base so as to separate contents from directly contacting the base. Advantageously in this way the base panels can be more readily displaced as friction is reduced, enabling the base panels to be slid smoothly outwards, without being caught on any items in the crate.

The sheet arranged upon the base panels in use, before items are received, so as to ease displacement of the base panels beneath the items.

Preferably the sheet is a sheet of paper, preferably recycled paper that can be reused. In some embodiments the sheet may be waxed or plasticised so as to have a smooth finish that will readily allow the base panels to be displaced.

Ideally the loose sheet is dimensioned to correspond to the base of the crate. In this way when the items are released they will all remain on the sheet. Therefore, the sheet has the additional advantage of protecting the surface upon which the items are released on to.

Advantageously the sheet may also be used to provide item information, useful information such as recipe ideas or advertising. In a preferred embodiment, the closed perimeter portion is substantially rectangular in plan view. This allows crates to maximise the use of space when used in numbers. Preferably the at least one base portion comprises a pair of substantially identical base panels configured for movement inwards and outwards from two opposed sides of the closed perimeter portion. In this way the base panels can be displaced to block and unblock the bottom face. This configuration allows the panels to be moved outwards from each opposed side, which advantageously shortens the distance that each panel has to move and thus assists with movement of the panels from the closed position to the open position.

Ideally the base panels and opposed side walls are movably connected so that each panel is capable of folding flat against an opposed side wall. This helps to reduce the profile of the crate when in the open position so that it can be stored more easily. This arrangement also allows the crate to be easily lifted to release the items without the base panels swinging freely as they can instead be held against the sides as the crate is lifted. In a preferred embodiment the opposed side walls and base panels are sized and connected so that when folded flat, the base panels do not extend above the top edge of the perimeter portion. This helps to reduce the profile of the crate in the open position so that it can be stored more easily. Preferably the base panels finish at the top of the side walls. This arrangement also enables the sides and base panels to be simultaneously held by a user.

In an embodiment, the opposed side walls and base panels are further configured to comprise a retaining means that holds the base panels folded flat against the opposed side walls. This assists a user in storing the crate as the walls will be retained and not loose and potentially in the way. This will also assist with lifting the crate to release the items by ensuring the displaced base panels are fixed in place and not swinging whilst the crate is lifted.

In a preferred embodiment the retaining means comprise at least one interference pip or protuberance extending from each of the opposed side walls that passes around the edge of the base panel so as to hold the base panel against the side wall. This is a simple, reliable and easily produced mechanism. In another embodiment, the retaining means comprises a lip on the base panel, and a side wall cut-out section through which the lip is located and shaped so as to pass through the cut-out section and be retained by an interference fit with the side wall in the folded flat position. This is also a simple, reliable and easily produced mechanism. Advantageously the lip can also be used a handle to hold whilst displacing the base panel. Therefore, the lip provides both a handle and a retaining mean.

Advantageously the cut-out may also serve as the handle for lifting the crate.

In yet further embodiments the base panels may be held against the side walls by magnetic means.

In an embodiment, the base panels and side walls are connected via a projection and slot arrangement. This is a simple, reliable and easily produced mechanism.

In an embodiment, the projection and slot arrangement is configured so that the base panels are restrained so as to move substantially linearly only, except when located in a fully outwards position. This assists with operation of the crate when unloading and helps to ensure that the contents will be unloaded at least partly in an orderly manner rather than piled up.

Preferably the projection and slot arrangement is configured so that when the base portions are folded flat, the projection engages with the slot to prevent movement of the projection along the slot/channel. This stops the base panels sliding relative to the walls, which assists a user with storage and transport of the empty crate.

In some embodiments the projection is provided on the sided walls and accepted into a slot provided on the base panels.

In another embodiment the projection is provided on the base panel and is accepted into a slot provided on the side walls.

Ideally the base panels and side walls are configured so that each of the base panels is substantially horizontally aligned in the closed position. This maximises the space available for storage and provides a substantially horizontal surface for receiving items. Preferably the base panels move inwards and outwards in a substantially horizontal plane so that the base panels can be easily slide out from beneath the items. For example, the base panels may be flat and removed horizontally. This assists with operation of the crate when unloading and helps to ensure that the contents will be unloaded at least partly in an orderly manner rather than piled up.

In some embodiments, the upper surface of the base panel is angled inwards and downwards. This assists the contents to slide off the base portions when unloading as the base portions are angled towards to the distal end of the base panels.

In a preferred embodiment, the side walls are configured to include a channel that is angled inwards and downwards for receiving edges of the base panels when in the closed position. In this way each base panel is supported along its length in the base channel. This assists with removal of the base panels as the panel edges are within the channel and therefore do not come into contact with the items as they slide off the base portions when unloading.

In an embodiment in which the base panels are angled downwards each of the base panels is preferably angled downwards at substantially 15 degrees from the horizontal (relative to the surface upon which the crate is positioned) and move inwards and outwards in a plane angled downwards at substantially 15 degrees from the horizontal. This assists the contents to slide off the base portions when unloading.

In preferred embodiments, the distal edges of the base panels are configured to releaseably connect together when in the closed position. This helps to prevent inadvertent unloading by ensuring the base is secure if formed from more than one displaceable base panel.

The distal ends of the base panel may connect by an interference fit, a detent mechanism, push fitting, magnetic means so as to be easily connected and disconnected when required. This is a simple, reliable and easily produced mechanism.

For example, the distal ends of each base panel may be adapted to fit with a bar that extends from an inner face of the side walls. In this way when the distal ends engage with the bar the base panel are locked in place. Typically force is applied in order to engage the interference fit. In an embodiment, the underside of the at least one base panel is contoured to assist with locating the base when stacking the crate, which is preferably a delivery crate, on top of a substantially similar delivery crate. This helps a user to stack multiple loaded crates quickly and easily, and to prevent movement during transport.

In some embodiments the blocking/unblocking may be driven or activated elsewhere on the crate. For example, the crate may include a lever or pulley arranged on a side wall for activating movement of the base panel.

In some embodiments the crate may have a mechanism to disconnect the distal ends of the base panels.

In yet further embodiments at least one peripheral handle is provided on the base panel(s) so as to minimise contact with active or dirty base surfaces.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows a perspective view from above and to one side of a delivery crate according to an embodiment of the invention, having side walls that form a closed rectangular perimeter portion with an open top face and an open bottom face, and a pair of base portions movably connected to the closed perimeter portion which can move between a closed position where the base portions extend across and close the lower face of the perimeter portion, and an open position where the bottom face is open, the base portions shown in the closed position;

Figure 2 shows an exploded view from the same angle of the delivery crate of figure 1 ; Figure 3 shows the delivery crate of figures 1 and 2 from the same angle with the base portions pulled apart so that the bottom face is open;

Figure 4 shows the delivery crate of the preceding figures with the base portions pulled apart so that the bottom face is open, and the base portions folded up against the opposed side walls of the crate for storage; Figures 5A to 5C show detail of a pin and slot arrangement that allows the base portion to be moveably connected to the perimeter portion, the pin and channel sized and profiled so that the base portion cannot rotate relative to the pin except in the fully open position, and so that when the base portions are folded against the side walls, the base portions cannot slide down;

Figure 6 shows another embodiment of the delivery crate of the present invention;

Figure 7 shows another embodiment of the delivery crate of the present invention; and

Figure 8 shows another embodiment of the delivery crate of the present invention.

Detailed Description of Figures A first embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 1 to 5. A delivery crate 100 according to this embodiment has side walls 2 configured to form a closed perimeter portion, rectangular in plan view.

The closed perimeter portion defined by the side walls 2 has an open top 3 and bottom 4 that is closed by a pair of base panels 5A, 5B.

The base portions or panels 5A, 5B are movably connected to the closed perimeter portion on the two longer opposed side walls 2. The connection mechanism will be described in detail below.

The crate 100 is sized so that it can be carried easily by a person, and has cut-outs that form handles on the shorter side walls. The crate can hold a quantity of groceries in use, and has a depth of 230mm, a length of 610mm at the top and 540 at the bottom on the longer side walls, and a length of 450mm at the top and 340mm at the bottom of the shorter side walls (the side walls 2 are slightly tapered inwards). These dimensions provide an internal volume of four litres.

The base portions 5A, 5B can be slid in and out across the open bottom face 4, so that when slid in (closed position) they extend across the bottom face 4 to substantially block the bottom face 4, and when slid out, the bottom face 4 is open or unblocked. In use, a user loads the crate 1 00 with produce, groceries or similar, and then carries it the crate 100 and the contents (not shown) as required. The base portions 5A, 5B are in the closed position during loading and subsequent loaded transport. When a user wants to quickly and easily unload a loaded crate 100, they move the base portions 5A, 5B from the closed position to the open position and lift the crate 100 upwards to separate the crate and the contents and leave the contents on the surface on which the crate 100 was previously sitting.

When moved to the outermost position, the base panels 5A, 5B can be folded upwards to rest flat against the side walls 2. The base panels 5A, 5B pivot through an arc so as to be positioned parallel to the side wall. This helps to reduce the profile of the crate 1 in the open position so that it can be stored more easily.

The dimensions of the base panels 5A, 5B and side walls 2, and the connection at the bottom of the side walls via the slots 6, ensures that the base panels 5A, 5B do not extend above the top edge of the perimeter portion. This helps to reduce the profile of the crate in the open position so that it can be stored more easily.

The base panels 5A, 5B are retained against the side walls 2 via a lip 8 on the base panels 5A, 5B, and a cut-out section 9 in the side wall 2. The lip 8 is shaped and located so as to pass through the cut-out section 9 and be retained by an interference fit with the side wall 2 in the folded flat position. The lip also serves as a handle for grasping when displacing the base panel. The opposed longer side walls 2 are also configured to have an interference fit on each of the opposed side walls 2. This forms an interference fit with the base panels 5A, 5B around the edge of the base panel to hold the base panels 5A, 5B folded flat against the walls 2. The base panels 5A, 5B and side walls 2 are connected via a projection and slot arrangement.

Referring to Figure 2 the side walls two include a projection 7 that is received in a slot 6 provide on each of the base panels 5A, 5B.

An additional ledge 1 1 is provided to guide the base panels 5A, 5B along an inner face of the side wall when being slid outwards or inwards. The ledge 1 1 extends towards the lower edge of the shorter side walls.

A projection or pin 7 extends from the edge of the side wall 2 and is received into the slot 6 of the base portions 5A, 5B, as shown in Figures 5A, 5B and 5C.

The projection 7 is substantially teardrop shaped wherein the base panels 5A, 5B are slid out such that a rounded edge 7A and flat edge 7B of the projection is in contact with the slot 6 to enable the base panels to be smoothly slid out and to prevent pivoting of the base panel until full displaced/extended. When the base panel is fully displaced it is pivoted about the tip 7C of the teardrop shaped projection and engaged with the slot 6 so as to fix the base panels 5A, 5B parallel and adjacent to the side walls 2.

The flat edge 7B of the teardrop projection abuts a flat face 6A provided in the slot 6 so as to prevent movement of the base panel 5A, 5B when folded flat against the side wall 2.

It can be seen that the pin 7 and slot 6 arrangement restrains the base panels so that these can move substantially linearly only, except when located in a fully outwards position. The slot 6 and pin 7 are aligned so that the panels 5A and 5B move substantially horizontally except when located in a fully outwards position (that is, horizontally when the crate 100 is resting on a horizontal surface).

This assists with operation of the crate 100 when unloading and helps to ensure that the contents will be unloaded at least partly in an orderly manner rather than piled up, as the items will be pushed off the upper surfaces of the base panels 5A, 5B one by one as these move outwards, rather than the entire contents being dumped at once. However, it is preferred that the upper surface of the base panel 5A, 5B is orientated to be slightly angled inwards and downwards. This assists the contents to slide off the base portions when unloading.

The distal ends 5C of the base panels 5A, 5B are configured to releaseably connect together by an interference fit when in the closed position. This helps to prevent inadvertent unloading by providing a secure base. The distal ends 5C of each base panel has a bulge 12 at an outer edge that is adapted to fit under a bar 13 that extends from an inner face of the side walls. In this way when the bulges 12 on the distal ends 5C engage with the bar 13 the base panel 5A, 5B are locked in place. Typically a light force is applied in order to engage the interference fit.

The proximal end of the base panels 5A, 5B includes a ridge 8 for griping when displacing the base panels. The ridge 8 serves as a handle to assist with displacing the base panels and provide an accessible portion of the base portion to easily grasp. In some embodiments an alternative handle may be provided.

The arrangement of the pin 7 and slot 6 is further configured so that when the base portions are extended fully outwards, and folded upwards, flat against the side walls 2, the pin 7 engages with the slot 6 as shown in figure 5C to prevent movement of the pin 7 along the channel of the slot 6. This locks the base panels 5A and 5B in place and this stops the base portions 5A, 5B sliding downwards relative to the walls 2, which assists a user with storage and transport of the empty crate 100.

The crate 100 also has rails 10 that fold inwards and outwards across the open top 3 of the crate 100. When folded inwards, the rails 10 extend across the across the open top 3, and can support a second crate 1 00 or similar above the first crate 100 so that multiple filled crates, or crates ready to be filled can be stacked.

The underside of the base panels 5A, 5B is contoured to assist with locating the base when stacking the delivery crate on top of a substantially similar delivery crate. This helps a user to stack multiple loaded crates quickly and easily, and to prevent movement during transport. In Figure 1 contours 5D are provided for receiving a rod 10.

In variations of the embodiment described above, the base panels and side walls are configured so that each of the base panels is angled downwards at 15 degrees when in the closed position, and move inwards and outwards in a plane angled downwards at substantially 15 degrees from the horizontal. This can be beneficial in some configurations to assist the contents in sliding off the base portions when unloading.

Figure 6 shows alternative views of a second embodiment 200 of the crate. In this embodiments the base panels 50A, 50B are arranged part way up the side wall so as to enable the base panels 50A, 50B to be angled downwards and for the base defined by the side walls to still to be level. The side wall includes a cut-out portion 90 through which a user can grasp the base panels 50A and 50B and displace them outwards in a substantially linear plane.

Additionally, in this embodiment the long side walls 20A are not fully enclosed and have a gap along the wall length that is closed only when the base panels are displaced. Advantageously this reduces the weight of the crate and provides a viewing area. The gap is typically dimensioned to correspond to the size of the base panel.

An upper region of the sides walls is ribbed for increased strength.

The lower edge of the side walls 20B includes notches 20C for receiving a rod 10 of a second crate place upon the first crate.

Figure 7 shows a third embodiment of the crate 300 similar to the first embodiment in that the base panels are located at a lower portion of the side walls. The base portions are dimensions such that they are independently angled towards the centre to provide an angled base that is mounted horizontally. The angle of the base panels is determined by thickness of the base panels. Figure 8 shows a fourth embodiment 400 of the crate. In this embodiment the short sides 20B are deeper than the long sides 20A. In this way the crate is rested on the short sides 20B when placed on a surface and the long sides 20A are elevated from the surface. The base panels 50A and 50B are mounted so as to be at the lower end of the long side walls 20A. In this way a user has easy access to the base panels 50A, 50B as they are raised from the surface. Advantageously this embodiment reduced the amount of material required to form the crate therefore being lighter weight and more cost effective to manufacture.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention. Firstly it will be understood that any features described in relation to any particular embodiment may be featured in combinations with other embodiments. With respect to the specification therefore, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention, with variation and implementation obvious and clear on the basis of either common general knowledge or of expert knowledge in the field concerned. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as set out in the accompanying claims.